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What is the difference between Amebiasis and Gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small intestine and large intestines. These usually involve
diarrhea to various degree depending the cause and severity of attack. These may be caused by many different viruse
s (like rotaviruses, adenoviruses, calciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus or a group of Noroviruses) or bacteria
(like Escherichia coli, Salmonella, shigella, Campylobacter ...etc) or Parasites (such as Giardia) or medications or other
medical conditions. While Amebiasis/Amebic dysentery is caused by a single celled (Amoeba) parasite called
Entamoeba histolytica. Below table gives a brief comparison of these conditions.

Why is there difference between Amebiasis and Gastroenteritis.
During normal digestion, food moves from the stomach to Small intestine. We have seen in " How stomach works"
that the small intestine receives about 6 to 12 liters of fluid daily. It delivers 1.0 to 1.5 liters daily to the colon. Thus
achieving almost 10 liters of fluid reduction with in the small intestine. In any cases of diarrhea, due to inflammation of
small intestine this action does not take place and body being heavily dependent on this fluid absorption
experiences a rapid de-hydration problem and a watery diarrhea.
The large intestine receives about 1.0 to 1.5 liters of fluid daily from small intestine and delivers 0.15 to 0.30 liters of
excreta to the rectum and a variable length of the left colon above it. This amounts to about almost 1liter of fluid
reduction with in the large intestine. In any cases of diarrhea, due to inflammation of large intestine this action does
not take place and body being less dependent on this fluid absorption experiences far less severe de-hydration
problems and more or less loose stools when compared to watery diarrhea caused by small intestine inflammation.

Disease name	Amoebic gastroenteritis	Bacterial gastroenteritis	Viral gastroenteritis (Stomach flu)
Caused by	Ameoba called Entamoeba Histolytica. Cysts transferred through Human faeces. Trophozoite stage happens inside the human intestine.	Bacterias like Escherichia Coli(O-157 or E-coli), Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Staph aureus, Campylobactor etc	Viruses like Rotaviruses, Adenoviruses, Caliciviruses, Astroviruses, Norwalk Virus and a group of Noroviruses
Symptoms	People can be dormant carriers. Loose stools, stomach pain or cramping. Amebic dysentery (due to trophozoites damaging the Mucus layer of large intestinal wall) can cause stomach pain, bloody stools and fever.1 - 4 week gestation.	Vomitting in first 24 hours. Diarrhea and fever lasting a few days but may last a week for small children. E.Coli attacks small intestine, resulting in huge loss of water ( See how stomach works).	Vomitting in first 24 hours. Diarrhea lasting a few days but may last a week in young children. Fever lasts 1 to 3 days.Virus attacks small intestine, resulting in huge loss of water ( See how stomach works).
Treatment	Anti-biotics ( like metronidazole) are commonly used to treat. Often Entamoeba dispar (a harmless more common variety of Entamoeba) is mistaken for the vicious type. Alcohol should be avoided during treatment.	Anti-biotics are not usually given unless there is systemic involvement. Use of anti-diarrheals may prolong the problem	Can not be treated with Anti-biotics. Use of anti-biotics may prolong the problem. Selected variety of antidiarrheals may be used to reduce loss of fluids.
	Prevalent in developing countries with poor sanitation. Infected by travel to such places.	Prevalent during summer months in most countries.E. Coli is present in intestines of animals like cows and deers.	Occurs in all areas, ages and background. Primarily affects children. The main risk is dehydration. Rotavirus(October to April) mainly affects children below 5. AdenovirusThrough out the year) & astrovirus(Oct to April) affects mainly young children but rarely in Adults. Norwalk and Noroviruses affects older children and adults. Occurs in institutional settings like Schools, Childcare facilities, nursing homes, Banquet halls, Cruise ships, Campgrounds & Dormitories etc.
Method of transmission	Spread through contaminated unboiled water from untreated sources. Human to human by fecal to oral direct/indirect contact. Wash hands well with soaps after using bathrooms and before meals and avoid use of common wiping/drying towels.Infant foods fed with E-histolytica soiled hands (happens on not washing hands after changing baby diapers) can also cause the same.	The ground meat of animals (containing intestines), if not fully cooked can cause infection. Food articles or juices that has not been pasturized after coming in contact with E-coli can cause infection. Infant foods fed with E-coli soiled hands (happens on not washing hands after changing baby diapers) can also cause the same.	Primary cause is ingestion of food prepared by someone carrying this Virus. Wash hands well after using bathrooms and before meals. Wash fresh fruits and vegetables well. Shell fish from sources contaminated with Sewage or drinking water contaminated by sewage. Unclean Kitchen with cockroaches also can cause this problem

Complication s	Rarely causes infection of liver, lungs or brain through blood stream	E-coli can be faital to infants causing hemolytic uremic syndrome, an acute disease characterized by distruction of the red blood cells, drastic decrease in the platelets and sudden acute kidney failure.
Foods during gastritis	Since large intestine is involved , loss of water is not as severe ( See how stomach works) as in E. Coli attack	Feed plenty of electrolytes.Solid food is avoided till diarrhea subsides.	Oral rehydration Solutions (ORS) recommended for small children. Bland diet of clear liquids, Bananas, Apples etc recommended.Plenty of fluids replacement needed.